Stillpoint LogoStillpoint
← Back to Yoga Styles Guide

Vijay Eswaran’s Rajyoga

Vijay Eswaran’s Rajyoga: A Modern Meditative Path

This form of Rajyoga, heavily promoted by entrepreneur and speaker Vijay Eswaran, is closely aligned with the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It is a modern, accessible interpretation of Raja Yoga that primarily focuses on meditation and the transformation of consciousness, rather than on physical postures (asanas).

Core Philosophy

The central tenet is that our true nature is that of a peaceful, pure, and powerful soul—a point of spiritual light. The external world and our own negative thought patterns (based on anger, greed, ego, etc.) have covered this true nature. The purpose of this Rajyoga is to reconnect with the original self and with the Supreme Soul (God) through a specific method of meditation.

Key Concepts

  • The Soul: The true self is an eternal, non-physical point of light and consciousness, distinct from the physical body.
  • The Supreme Soul: There is one incorporeal Supreme Soul, a source of all virtues and power, with whom the individual soul can connect.
  • The World Cycle: History is seen as a repeating cycle of 5,000 years, moving from a golden age of purity (Satyuga) down to the current iron age of impurity (Kaliyuga), before renewal begins again.
  • Karma: The law of cause and effect is central. Every thought and action creates a karmic account that determines our experiences. The goal is to create positive karma through pure thoughts and actions.

The Practice

The practice of this Rajyoga is centered on a specific open-eyed meditation technique:

  1. Self-Awareness: The first step is to practice "soul consciousness"—the awareness that "I am a peaceful soul, not this body."
  2. Connecting to the Source: The meditator then focuses their thoughts on the Supreme Soul, visualized as a point of light, and aims to absorb virtues like peace, love, and power from this divine source.
  3. No Chanting or Mantras: Unlike many other paths, this meditation is silent and thought-based. It is an act of conscious, mental communion.
  4. Application in Daily Life: The insights and virtues gained in meditation are to be applied in daily interactions, promoting a lifestyle of peace, non-violence, and positive thinking.

This path is less about physical discipline and more about a mental and spiritual transformation through knowledge and meditation.